HRKCIC/I
Mr. Gaminara
SECRET
Reference.......
The Hong Kong Garrison
I am dictating this minute for the record although most of the facts in it may already be known to you.
2. Both the Commander British Forces (Lieutenant- General Sir B. Eugster) and the Secretary for Defence (Mr. A. Todd) spoke to me about the future size of the Garrison in Hong Kong. It seems that the MOD consulted the CBF after the FCO had suggested that the possibility of extending the period of seventy two hours to perhaps a week might be looked into. Shortly after I arrived in Hong Kong the CBF, with the agreement of the Governor, sent the following views to MOD :
3.
(a) A force level of 63 major units was acceptable
(three British major units and three Gurkha).
The Governor made to General Eugster in my presence the point that it was no concern of his how big the Garrison should be. However, both the Governor and the CBF think it important that there should be at least three British major units.
(b) The CBF also agreed that in present circumstances
one week's notice of the need for the
reinforcing battalion to be in Hong Kong would be sufficient, provided that a request for reinforcements at shorter notice could be provided for in the plans should the general situation deteriorate at any time.
(c) Any proposal that the Hong Kong garrison should
be earmarked for use elsewhere in South East Asia would not be welcome to the Hong Kong authorities.
A reduction in the size of the garrison from 73 to 6 will cover, I understand, a saving in capital costs of £4 million. I did not discuss with either the Governor or General Eugster the question of Hong Kong's defence contribution.
16 September. 1970
En
(E. 0. Laird)
Hong Kong Department
Copy
Mr Thomas (Defence Sarv,)
HRKIC/A Defence Contilation file
SECRET HKKIE
ANG 16
16,9°
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